Granfondo on eco-friendly mode to celebrate Triple Crown giants
Dedicated to the “Magnificent 7” winning Giro, Tour and Vuelta’s GC at least once in their career, the 23rd GF Gimondi Bianchi presented in Bergamo will reduce 205 kg of plastic next May 5th
An increasingly eco-friendly approach and the celebration of the triple crown “giants” are the core of 23rd Granfondo Internazionale Felice Gimondi Bianchi unveiled in Bergamo. “Tribute to the Magnificent 7” is the cinema-inspired headline the OC choose to celebrate the seven riders able to top Giro, Tour and Vuelta‘s GC at least once in their career. The names of Jacques Anquetil, the very first to complete the “hat-trick” in 1963, Felice Gimondi (1968), Eddy Merckx (1973), Bernard Hinault (1980), Alberto Contador (2008), Vincenzo Nibali (2014) and Chris Froome (2018) shine inside this kings’ hall.
“To win all the three grand tours is an outstanding goal that defines a career, but it’s also a feat that you really appreciate after years. Celebrating the “Grand Slam’s giants” means to honour athletes that constantly rode and won at the highest level, writing unforgettable pages of cycling history. No need to choose who was the greatest“, Felice Gimondi explained.
Roberto Perico (Credito Bergamasco-Banco BPM Manager), Claudio Masnata (Marketing and Communication Manager Bianchi), Giorgio Gori (Bergamo’s Mayor), Martina Cambiaghi (Lombardy Region’s Sports Assessor) and Michele Gamba (Italian Cycling Federation’s Vice President) also attended 23rd GF Gimondi Bianchi’s official presentation.
The 2019 GF Gimondi Bianchi will be an even more eco-friendly event, by using public water instead of 18 pallets of water bottles at the feed zones. The public water will be also used to prepare tea, sportsdrink, mint and lemon juleps. GF Gimondi Bianchi received the “Acqua Eco Sport” certification by Uniacque, Bergamo water service administrator. About 12.500 bottles will be saved at 2019 Granfondo: it means to save 205 kg of plastic, 560 litres of oil, 218 kg of CO2 in the atmosphere.
After renewing the deal with GF Gimondi until 2024, title sponsor Bianchi announced they will bring in Bergamo 200 guests from all over the world on May 5th. Granfondo’s official partner since the event’s premiere, Banco BPM (former Credito Bergamasco) and L’Eco di Bergamo (media partner) also go on joining the event, as well as Santini Maglificio Sportivo and Sitip official supporters. “Younger” but strong is also the Granfondo’s bond with official partners GLS Corriere Espresso and Uniacque Servizio Idrico Integrato, official supporters Nuncas, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd and Iper, suppliers Safety and Berlucchi Franciacorta (official wine). Nutrition partner Enervit stands out as newcomer.
THE COURSES: CHOOSE YOURS ALONG THE WAY
In the wake of the tradition, the GF Gimondi Bianchi gives you the possibility to choose your course along the way. Opened by the Colle dei Pasta uphill in the early race (3,4 km uphill with a 143m altitude difference, 4,2% average gradient and 12% maximum gradient), the GF Gimondi Bianchi’s short route also features the Colle del Gallo (7,5 km climb with a 6% average gradient and 12% maximum gradient, with a 445-meter altitude difference) and the Selvino (12,2 uphill to the 946-meter asl peak, with a 5,1% average gradient and 10% maximum gradient, with a 621-meter altitude difference). The 89,4-km course’s overall altitude difference is 1.400 meters, with 23,1 uphill kilometers.
In addition to the three short course’s mountains, the participants of the medium route race will tackle the Costa d’Olda and the Forcella di Bura climbs (the latter up to 884 meters asl), before the descent towards Bergamo’s finish. The overall altitude is 2.100 meters with a 33,4 km uphill. The last crossroad after 111,2 km of the medium course will divide from the other participants those stretching to the 162,1 km distance of the long route, including two more ascents in the Forcella di Brebenno (km 116,7) and the Costa Valle Imagna.
